Why Isn’t My Puppy Eating?
Puppies are cute and cuddly, but they can be hard to understand when they don’t want to eat. Many people assume that if their puppy isn’t eating, then they must be sick. This might not always be the case. A puppy’s lack of appetite can result from a number of different things, and it’s important to get help if your pet is exhibiting concerning behavior. Here are some of the most common reasons you’re your puppy isn’t eating:
1. Your Puppy Is Too Young for Dry Food
A young pup around four to five weeks of age is still learning to eat solid foods. He may be too young to eat dry food if he’s younger than that.
During the early stages of their life, very young puppies will not eat solid food. They rely solely on their mother’s milk for sustenance.
2. Your Puppy is in a Fussy Phase
Many puppies go through a fussy phase at six to eight months old. Dogs of this age are usually more prone to boredom and will push boundaries to see how much they can get away with.
If your puppy is at this age and is generally healthy, their lack of appetite isn’t usually a cause for concern. They will often push for a few hours to see if you’ll offer them other food. It’s best to ignore this behavior. Stick with your regular feeding routine, and your puppy will eventually come around.
3. Your Puppy has Teeth Problems
When puppies reach the age of four to six months, their teeth begin to fall out. This could cause them to lose interest in eating since their mouth might be sore.
It is difficult to determine whether your puppy is losing teeth because puppies almost always swallow their fallen tooth. You might not realize they already have sore mouths.
Other symptoms you might notice may be a sudden aversion to playing tug, an increase in chewing, tender gums, and the appearance of missing teeth.
4. Your Puppy Is Not Interested in His Food
Although a recent study has concluded that dogs do not get bored with eating the same food every day, some dog owners believe otherwise.
It’s important to note that dogs don’t experience food the same way as humans. Because their sense of smell is more powerful than ours, they are more concerned with the smell of the food than with the taste.
Dogs are also drawn to novelty. They want to explore and try new things, so when you give your puppy a new food option, he’ll probably choose it over the old one.
5. Your Puppy is Sick
Illness can undoubtedly cause your puppy to stop eating entirely. One of the most common is nausea. Anything that causes nausea can cause inappetence. Other common health reasons that can cause loss of appetite in dogs:
- Cancer
- Congestive heart failure
- Dental disease
- Diarrhea
- Digestive upset and obstruction
- Fever
- Kidney failure
- Liver problems
- Lung disease
- Organ or metabolic dysfunction
- Pancreatitis
- Parvovirus
- Stress and anxiety
- Various systematic infections
If you suspect poor health is causing your puppy’s lack of appetite, it’s best to reach out to your veterinarian. He or she is the best person to help you figure out what’s wrong with your dog and how to address the underlying problem.
Final Thoughts
There could be several reasons your puppy is not eating. By ruling out common causes and taking your puppy to the veterinarian if the problem persists, you will help ensure that your puppy remains healthy and happy.
